What's New In Industry articles from September 2004

What's New In Industry archives from September 2004

RP taking development technology to the edge.(Show Talk)
September 1, 2004... The group of technology exhibitions at the NEC, Birmingham, from September 28-30 lays out a vast range of industrial products and initiatives. Here we look at three of the shows--Motion & Control, Design Engineering, and Time Compression...

Design innovations.(Show Talk)
September 1, 2004... This year's Design Engineering Show features a strong line up of new product developments. Capable of bagging ten times faster than by hand, the AB180 automatic bagging machine from Automated Packaging Systems allows a change of pack size...

In full control of fluid power.(Show Talk)
September 1, 2004... Complete control solutions in pneumatics and hydraulics, from seals and valves to hoses and couplings, are lined up for Motion & Control 2004. Presentations look at the new A380 Airbus, renewable energy generation and mobile hydraulics for...

Pump provides accurate dose.(Process Plant & Control)
September 1, 2004... New pump controller which helps to provide very accurate dosing in applications requiring automated and proportional pumping has been introduced by Milton Roy. Offered in two versions, the Varipulse controller has been developed for use with...

Finer filtering.(Process Plant & Control)
September 1, 2004... From waste water treatment specialist WPL comes a range of BMF microscreen drum filters. Designed for automated water filtration and constructed from non-corrosive materials, the units are of a design that maximises the surface area of the...

Lab oil set for an early bath.(Process Plant & Control)
September 1, 2004... Oil bath performance--without the oil? That's what you get with the latest piece of lab equipment from specialists Lab-Plant, who say this could signal the end of the road for the lab oil bath and its associated mess and safety issues. The...

Gear pumps handle high pressures.(Process Plant & Control)
September 1, 2004... Durable, close-coupled Liquiflo Max gear pumps from Michael Smith Engineers can handle differential pressures up to 24 bar and flows to 75 litres/min Offered in 316 stainless steel or titanium, the pumps come in seven sizes in either...

Temperature control at a touch.(Process Plant & Control)
September 1, 2004... With a compact front panel combining a digital display with a basic touch panel, the latest range of process temperature controllers from IMO Precision Controls suit industrial applications where space occupied by large control panels is seen...

Pump removes condensate.(Process Plant & Control)
September 1, 2004... Latest version of Charles Austen's Blue Diamond condensate pump comes in a new plastic coating and offers 70 litres/hour flow and suction lift of more than 5m. It can remove condensate quickly and efficiently reducing running times and...

High flow from small valves.(Process Plant & Control)
September 1, 2004... Compact TC valves from Rexroth come as single or block types for pneumatic and electrical operation. The TC08 is tender 17mm wide and 49mm high with flows to 800 l/min., while the TC 15 is 21 x 58.5mm with flows up to 150 l/min. Dispensing...

Sensor gives precise pH.(Process Plant & Control)
September 1, 2004... Innovative MemoSens digital pH sensor from Endress + Hauser allows important data to be saved directly within the sensor. This inductive, two-way data transfer between sensor and transmitter is said to guarantee interference-free measuring...

Sizing up the particles.(Process Plant & Control)
September 1, 2004... New Gulfstream continuous multistage diluter from Malvern Process Systems is for use with its Insitec on-line particle size analysers, extending the applications of Insitec systems to include real-time measurement of particle size analysis of...

Deal puts P&L in the lead.(Process Plant & Control)
September 1, 2004... Valve and actuator distributor Pegler and Louden has signed an agreement to be UK lead distributor of the ITT Richter PFA/PTFE fluoroplastic lined valves for flow shutoff and control. Units include ball, ball check, globe and ball control,...

Pump seal has all the options.(Process Plant & Control)
September 1, 2004... Alfa Laval reckons its SX hygienic pumps are the only such units with full EHEDG accreditation in which all seal options are genuinely front-loading, so providing easy access for maintenance and cleaning. Suited to demanding uses in...

In-line pumping.(Process Plant & Control)
September 1, 2004... Second phase of TP in-line centrifugal primps from Grundfos now sees this range offering motor capacities from 0.12 to 630kW--a total of 35 motor sizes: EFFI high-efficiency motors on all three-phase motor sizes to 90kW; two, four told six-pole...

CIP gets modular look.(Process Plant & Control)
September 1, 2004... The 'CI[P.sup.one]' Cleaning in Place system from Suncombe offers a number of options in modular format that can be added or exchanged at any time. These Flash modules provide heating, detergent dosing, chemical sanitising, water saving for...

Real cool steel.(Process Plant & Control)
September 1, 2004... Three Spirax Sarco pneumatically-actuated control valves with smart positioners are helping to boost productivity at a steel selection mill heal Cardiff They provide precise control over the flow of water used to cool rolled sections --the...

Flowmeter can take the heat.(Process Plant & Control)
September 1, 2004... The Promass 80/83 high-temperature flowmeter from Endress + Hauser is designed to stand the heat in the oil told gas industries--it can directly provide various measurements in applications from -50 to +350[degrees]C. It has ATEX approvals for...

Pumps go deep down.(Process Plant & Control)
September 1, 2004... Dewatering, remediation and drilling specialist Groundwater provides groundwater control, monitoring and modelling services to the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. They have turned to Grundfos Pumps for assistance with groundwater pumping, using...

All fluids coupled.(Process Plant & Control)
September 1, 2004... New quick-acting couplers from Legris can be used with all types of industrial fluids, compressed air etc. Acetal Delrin types suit general uses such as pneumatics, liquids, gas, cooling circuits or vacuum lines. Chemical-resistant...

Control on a plate.(Process Plant & Control)
September 1, 2004... Two control panels and supply flow and level transmitters are being supplied by Burkert Fluid Control Systems to stamping and plating specialist Batten & Allen as part of a 1 million [pounds sterling] investment at its Cirencester plant. ...

Get the inside story on wire rope conditions.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... An inspection service that checks the condition of the vital inner core of wire ropes used on cranes and hoists has been set up by KCI Konecranes. Wire ropes contain up to 400 individual wires. And even if some of these wires have become...

Combi trucks take the mix'n'match route.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... By launching its K Series combination tracks, Linde has created an innovative modular concept for specifying the model to match a specific situation. As such there is no longer a range of models with specific capacities--rather a choice of key...

More choice on the Tele ...(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... Bobcat's new telescopic handler, the T3571, is a 7m machine offering a maximum lifting capacity of 3.5t, compared to the 3t of its T3071 predecessor. Maximum lift height has been increased, too, from 7.05 to 7.12m. And while the 4.06m...

Storage on the record.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... Regal 4000 two-tier shelving systems from SSI Schaefer are providing C&V Data Management Services with the means to store over 70,000 boxes and 250,000 open files at its new records management and document storage facility in Lutterworth. ...

Desktop distribution.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... Wittman's M7 Teachbox materials handling control system allows single point of control of all the materials distribution through a typical plastics processing operation--ie. through conveying vacuum pumps, hopper loaders, alarm units and other...

Browsing on the move.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... The Browser from Assembled Products Corporation moves personnel and materials through large areas and between buildings. With its various options it can be customised for moving packaging, tools, parts and mail, as well as people. ...

Get hooked up.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... Gunnebo Lifting is extending its component programme in the GrabiQ series with a new size of roundsling hook. The largest in the RH series, the new RH5-8+ is suitable for four and five-tonne WLL web and roundslings, A one-piece forged...

Instrumentation given a lift.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... Relocation of TA Instruments' rheometer and thermal analysis equipment manufacturing facility in Crawley brought the opportunity to review storage capacity and redesign the production process. "We had a number of options open to us," said...

Trolley folds away.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... Waldens has introduced an ingenious folding trolley when can be carried, when folded, like a suitcase. When in trolley mode it can carry packages, luggage, equipment etc. The frame is aluminum and the shelves are plastic. The top shelf,...

Reach higher performance with lower energy use.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... Achieving the optimum combination of performance and energy efficiency, safety, reliability and operator comfort, has been the aim of Crown with its new ESR 4500 series reach trucks. They are offered in 1.4, 1.6 and 2.0t capacities, with lift...

Trucks right on target.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... An eight percent increase in productivity has bean notched up at the main hub of carrier Target Express after renewing the forklift fleet at the Coventry facility with a range of Toyota 7FGF15 machines. A fleet of Toyota's 7FBMF16s were then...

Two for tea.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... Tea merchandiser Finlay Hull has renewed with Komatsu, choosing two new trucks--an FB18 for indoor work and an FG25 for outdoors--for its Hull warehouse. The trucks were imported by OM Pimespo and supplied to Finlay by local dealer Windsor...

An Ability to cut handling costs.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... Coatings specialist Weilburger Schramm Coatings has reduced the cost of material handling at its Runcom HQ since replacing its previous combination era converted reach track and counterbalance forklift with a purpose-built flameproof...

Storage boosts pump assembly.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... Alfa Laval is reaping the benefits of a new storage infrastructure at its Eastborne pumps plant through a new installation from System Store Solutions that enables employee work areas to become more self-sufficient. The installation has...

Logical control.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... Hull-based warehousing and logistics specialist TEPS is to install Empirica warehouse management software from Chess Logistics Technology for stock control, order picking and other warehouse tasks. The warehouse has 140,000[ft.sup.2] of storage...

Hey, Presto: diagnostics by phone.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... Superior traction and heightened stability are claimed for Atlet's new Presto PLP powered pallet transporters. The tiller steer-arm incorporates a computer giving PIN access and enabling the driving characteristics to be programmed. The...

Truck brakes stay cool in harsh conditions.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... Totally sealed oil cooled disc brakes on Daewoo's latest electric forklift claim to provide the machine with a braking capability around five times that of conventional shoe brakes--and allow the truck to cope in the toughest industrial...

System keeps tyres rolling.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... A stillage handling system has helped to overhaul product handling and storage at a tyre manufacturer's plant in Portugal. The manufacturer contacted materials handling specialist UPS Logistica who involved associate UK group Keymas Controls &...

Trucks give storage a lift.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... Two Bendi side-loaders from Translift maximised storage density at Schneider Electric's 6000[m.sup.2] Telford warehouse extension--a feat said to be achievable by no other forklift without losing operational flexibility and costing more. ...

Making a case for testing.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... Case and storage solution specialist Pathfinder Fox has expanded its range of cases for carrying and storing sensitive equipment such as test and measurement instrumentation. Waterproof, airtight and virtually unbreakable, the range also...

Easier loading.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... Designed to make light work of unloading containers and lorries, The new Easi-Ramp loading/unloading ramp from Apache is a portable unit that uses a hydraulic pump to raise or lower the platform. The device can carry up to ten tonnes and has a...

The safer option for engine plant.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... Ford has installed a fleet of 20 BT Rolatruc warehouse trucks at its 140,000[m.sup.2] Bridgend engine plant, which produces Zetec engines for various Ford models and V8s for Jaguar and Land Rover. Materials handling on the site was reviewed...

Medicines: handle with care.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... A fleet of warehousing equipment including Hyster Matrix reach trucks, low-level order pickers, and pedestrian and ride-on powered pallet trucks, has been supplied by Barloworld Handling to Fresenius Medical Care's centralised UK distribution...

Conveyor keeps a free flow.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... Weighing conveyor based on the vibratory principle has been developed by Wright Machinery as an easy clean, low maintenance alternative to systems that use conveyor belts to handle dry, free-flowing products. The Weighwright has no moving parts...

Pallets stacked by speedy robot.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... Able to handle loads of up to 400kg and stack them on a large pallet up to 2.7m high, Kawasaki's new MD400N robot provides a linear movement of 400mm vertically and 2000mm horizontally, performing high-speed movements as fast as 740 times per...

Hi-tech on the rack.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... Very narrow aisle rocking solution from Linpac Storage Systems is providing 14,000 pallet locations at the Leicestershire warehouse of logistics specialist Widdowsons. The 110,000[ft.sup.2] facility has sole customer occupation and stores...

Euro pallets on the move.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... Capable of moving euro pallets, flat boards and a variety of heavy products with loadings up to 1500kg/[m.sup.2], the new chain-driven pallet conveyor system from Conveyor Units offers smooth, quiet operation, the flexibility of motor...

Man up, low lifts.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... Jungheinrich's EKX 410 narrow-aisle stacker aims to meet the need for a man-up truck with relatively low lift heights of up to 7.5m. All the features of Jungheinrich's existing VNA machines have been retained in the new EKX 410 truck --the...

Bags batched in bulk.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... New BFC Series bulk bag weighing system from Flexicon feeds ingredients to a central weigh hopper at mezzanine level using four flexible screw conveyors, then transports pre-weighed batches to a downstream blender using a pneumatic weighing...

Handling pallets on a new level.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... Atlet has introduced the Doppio PSD transporter-stacker to complete its line up of new powered pallet tracks. Stacking up to 2.49m, the Doppio has a straddle lift and is capable of handling two pallets at once, making it ideal for two-level...

Cranes take off.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... Materials handling specialist Demag Cranes and Components has manufactured and installed a system that comprises three overhead double girder crane systems for the Airbus Deutschland GmbH facility in Germany. The factory is manufacturing...

Ford takes Perfect charge.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... Ford Motor Company has specified Hawker batteries for the upgraded electric truck fleet operating at its engine plant in South Wales. Hawker has also supplied energy-efficient high frequency chargers interfacing with a battery management...

A Perfect Plus solution for IKEA.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... Hawker has supplied high performance batteries to power the 67 electric lift trucks at IKEA's new distribution centre in Peterborough, which is operated by ND Logistics UK. Hawker has also provided several banks of advanced battery chargers...

Cool in the heat.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... The Highly Flammable Liquid Petroleum Gases Regulations 1972 have been replaced by The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR). Part of these regulations explain the standards that cabinets and enclosures must...

Still--the added ingredient.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... Centura Foods, which counts Bisto gravy amongst its products, has specified a fleet of Still forklift and warehouse trucks for goods movement operations at its Cheshire plant. The fleet, supplied by Lancashire (Fork Truck) Services,...

A solid start for automation.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... System 800xA, an enhanced automation system recently launched by ABB, has been purchased by OM Group which produces metal organics for use in various end use industries such as paints, petrochemicals, printing and tyres. System 800xA will...

Screen storage.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... Automotive glass wholesaler and distributor, Laddaw, chose Linpac Storage Systems to provide a storage solution for its 12,000[m.sup.2] warehouse and distribution centre, built to house windscreens, body-glass and trims for cars, commercial...

Legrand connects with Toyota.(Handling & Storage)
September 1, 2004... M&W Toyota Handling is supplying materials handling equipment to cable management solution provider, Legrand Electric. Legrand has signed up for six new forklift trucks, including Toyota 7FGF25s, 7FB25s and 7FBEF20s, featuring free lift masts,...

Strength for plastic joints.(Fastening & Joining)
September 1, 2004... Series 18 brass reverse expansion inserts intended for strengthening plastic joints have been introduced by Spirol Industries. These headed inserts are intended for use where the bolt enters the insert from the headless, rather than the...

Insert goes head to head.(Fastening & Joining)
September 1, 2004... Headed version of the Foamsert self-tapping brass insert has been introduced by Tappex Thread Inserts. The double-ended Foamsert and the Reduced Head variant both offer three cutting flutes in a coarse truncated thread form for strong...

Connecting with productivity.(Fastening & Joining)
September 1, 2004... Sheet metal shops, panel builders and general engineering fabricators will be typical users of Eckold's new Coneco 35 clinching unit, a handheld tool aimed at a wide range of sheet joining applications. The unit is powered by a standard 240V...

Putting spot welding equipment to the test.(Fastening & Joining)
September 1, 2004... To meet the need for a simple to install and operate method of testing spot welding equipment, Kistler has introduced a clamping force tester that can be integrated with electrode cap machining and weld current checking to provide an efficient...

Collets are ready for action.(Fastening & Joining)
September 1, 2004... Offering precise and repeatable part machining, a new range of Imperial and metric sized Varibore collets from Holmes UK have a parallel closing action said to ensure aconsistently high grip along the entire bore length. Imperial types...

This joint ain't jumpin'.(Fastening & Joining)
September 1, 2004... Performance of an assembly line tool used in many different industries is dependent on the conditions of the actual production joint on which it is used, says Crane Electronics--different torques can be delivered to the same tool when applied...

Pinned in place.(Fastening & Joining)
September 1, 2004... The Elesa GN series of ball lock pins meet applications needing frequent and rapid connection of parts--perhaps for installation or machining--yet where only restricted space is available. Simple insertion of a pin into a mating pair of...

Getting into the swing of things.(Fastening & Joining)
September 1, 2004... Oetiker swing couplings, clamps and rings, now offered by new distributer TFC, provide a versatile, simple connecting solution for high-pressure industrial hoses that can now be safely connected and disconnected by hand. There is no loss of...

Liquid rivet full of tolerance.(Fastening & Joining)
September 1, 2004... Avoiding the need to stock many sizes to rivet, FisherCast's liquid riveting process 'shrink locks' small components with a strong mechanical bond, cost-effectively replacing conventional rivets. The molten zinc alloy producing the liquid...

Wear with all.(Fastening & Joining)
September 1, 2004... CastoStud 600 wear protection system from Eutectic can be applied to any steel base and consists of a power source, torch and a choice of either sintered carbide or hardened steel studs. Ideal for applications where equipment suffers high...

A nut to die for.(Fastening & Joining)
September 1, 2004... Initially developed for automotive use in the US using the Pemserter 'in-die' press system, PEM floating panel nuts from Arconix can be inserted during the stamping process. These devices are custom-designed for specific applications and can...

Flow solution.(Inspection & Measurement)
September 1, 2004... The new SU series of water meters from ifm electronic displays flow rate and offers a selection of outputs. They can provide a scalable analogue 4-20mA or 0 to 10V signal, and output pulse or switched alarm outputs, PNP or NPN, selectable...

Break the mould.(Inspection & Measurement)
September 1, 2004... Kistler's PiCo signal conditioner, combined with a standard laptop computer, can increase productivity by minimizing "out of spec" injection mouldings and inspection time, especially in multi-cavity moulds, by using mould pressure and...

Nissan spots the difference.(Inspection & Measurement)
September 1, 2004... When Nissan needed to replace two obsolete camera systems with one offering improved capability for precision work, it was clear that a little insight was required. Nissan approached Capley-Marker, a Warrington-based systems integrator...

Taking it to the Max.(Inspection & Measurement)
September 1, 2004... Cognex, has extended the capability of PatMax[R] geometric pattern matching technology with enhancements for pattern location and alignment that reduce equipment and integration costs while increasing throughput. The enhancements are PatMax...

Now you see it ...(Inspection & Measurement)
September 1, 2004... Proscan, a non-contact 3D surface profilometer from Scantron, has come to the rescue of the production line of a well-known opto-electronics company needing to measure fast and accurately onto glass. Non-contact measurement was ideal, for...

Under pressure.(Inspection & Measurement)
September 1, 2004... Said to be ingeniously simple to set, the new PK6 electronic pressure switch from ifm electronic is ideal for signalling the pressure of gases in such areas as pneumatic systems, HVAC and refrigeration. Designed with industrial gases in...

Calling the tune.(Inspection & Measurement)
September 1, 2004... Casella Eti has launched what is believed to be the UK's first tuneable diode laser emissions monitoring system with ATEX approval for use in hazardous areas. Cross duct analysis of continuous emissions monitoring from within stacks enables the...

Looking for a perfect mix?(Inspection & Measurement)
September 1, 2004... Wisthoff Glassworks in Germany, producers of glass-based packing for the pharmaceutical industry, had difficulties maintaining a precise oil and water mix in the cooling process, resulting in marked bottles that had to be remelted. ...

Accept no substitutes.(Inspection & Measurement)
September 1, 2004... Palintest, an ISO 9001:2000 registered company, ensures that Palintest reagent tablets are manufactured to close tolerances for Palintest photometers. These procedures are continually enhanced as new tests and formulations are developed, and...

Take measures against errors.(Inspection & Measurement)
September 1, 2004... Casella CEL aims to eliminate a common cause of acoustic measurement errors--range adjustments--with the new 400 series of sound monitors. 400 series monitors offer real time frequency analysis and, with a new software package, have a...

More measurement options.(Electrics & Electronics)
September 1, 2004... Keighley Instruments has added an option for making GSM transmitter quality modulation measurements to its Model 2800 RF Power Analyser. The Model 2800 with GSM option is a high-throughput, cost-efficient solution that outperforms the high-end...

Two-wire sensor for ABS.(Electrics & Electronics)
September 1, 2004... Allegro MicroSystems' ATS650LSH is a two-wire sensor module designed for wheel-speed and direction sensing in automotive ABS applications. The module incorporates an integrated magnet and a single-chip IC containing three highly sensitive...

The latest drive for worldwide control.(Electrics & Electronics)
September 1, 2004... HNC100 2X series digital axis controller from Bosch Rexroth is a freely programmable, fieldbus-capable NC control assembly for both hydraulic and electrical drives. It features possibly the only intelligent control electronics worldwide, which...

Drives to join the family.(Electrics & Electronics)
September 1, 2004... maxon motors' family of high-tech micro-drives has some new arrivals, including maxon's smallest motor yet. At just 6mm in diameter, the new RE 6 motor has an assigned power rating of 0.3 watt--just a little lower than the 0.5 watt of the...